John Reid

5-10, 185, R-Jr., Mount Laurel, N.J.

The Nittany Lions do not return a starter in the defensive backfield from last season but they do return Reid, who started all 14 games in 2016 but suffered a knee injury the following spring and sat out the 2017 season. The former St. Joseph's Prep star says he's better than he was before the injury, especially in the mental aspects of the game. Although he did not play last year, he still watched film with the other defensive backs and was a member of the 70-man traveling squad for every road game so he could share his observations from the sideline. In 2016, he had 36 tackles, five tackles for loss, one interception and one fumble recovery, and made honorable mention All-Big Ten. He also returned 22 punts for a 7.5-yard average.

Amani Oruwariye

6-1, 201, Gr., Tampa, Fla.

Oruwariye led the team last season with four interceptions and made second-team All-Big Ten – without starting a single game. In fact, the Lions' season opener on Sept. 1 will be his first career start. One of the last players to commit to James Franklin at Vanderbilt and then follow the head coach to Penn State in 2014, Oruwariye was a valued member of the defensive back rotation in 2017 and was in on 28 tackles. He returned his first career interception in 2016 for a touchdown. As one of 12 fifth-year seniors on the roster, he will be asked to step forward more as a leader.

Tariq Castro-Fields

6-0, 189, So., Upper Marlboro, Md.

Castro-Fields entered Penn State as a freshman determined to win some playing time and he showed enough skill to make his collegiate debut in the season opener, one of three true freshmen to play in 2017. Castro-Fields participated in 12 games on defense and special teams and logged eight of his 10 tackles in the final three contests, including a career-high four plus a forced fumble against Maryland. He tied with running back Journey Brown for the fastest 40-yard dash time in winter workouts – 4.36 seconds.

Nick Scott

5-11, 199, Gr., Fairfax, Va.

Scott has been a kickoff returner, a running back and a special teams star during his time with the Lions and this season he will get to be a regular starter at safety. He is a true team leader, spending his second season as a team captain. Last season, he recorded 33 tackles and scored a touchdown – his first since a rushing TD in his redshirt freshman year against Army – on a fumble return. He ran a 4.47-second time in the 40 in winter workouts, third-best on the team.

Lamont Wade

5-9, 195, So., Clairton, Pa.

Wade, like Castro-Fields, played his first college game as a freshman in the 2017 season opener and spent much of his time at cornerback, then worked at safety during spring practice and made the transition there. He has been described as "explosive and tough" by defensive coordinator Brent Pry. He posted a season-high five tackles twice, against Georgia State and Nebraska, and has played well on special teams. He was a running back in high school, finishing his career with 7,079 yards and 117 touchdowns. He is one of the most active players on social media (@Goony_38 on Twitter).

Garrett Taylor

6-0, 206, R-Jr., Richmond, Va.

A two-time Academic All-Big Ten player, Taylor has made his mark on special teams and has gradually improved in the defensive backfield, making the move from cornerback to safety in the spring of 2017. He received praise at the start of this season's training camp from Pry, who said "his preparation has been outstanding."

Ayron Monroe

5-11, 207, R-Jr., Largo, Md.

Monroe has been one of the top tacklers on special teams for the Lions, having made 19 stops on the kickoff and punt coverage units in the last two seasons. He is expected to get a good look at safety in training camp with the coaches loving his speed and athleticism.